Wales could see double the number of vineyards within 10 years, says Richard Morris, co-founder of Ancre Hill Estates and chair of the recently formed Welsh Vineyard Association.
With 17 vineyards now producing around 100,000 bottles “in a good season”, Richard reckons some spots in the Vale of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and the Borders show “brilliant potential”.
Speaking at the inaugural Welsh Vineyard Association Wine Awards on 28 October, Richard said his ambition was to grow the new national competition into an international contest, whereby Welsh wines could be judged alongside those from the rest of the world.
Going for gold
In this, the WVA Awards’ first year, Ancre Hill topped the medal podium, winning the sole Gold and three of the five Silvers. Parva Farm Vineyard shared the silver honours, with Bronzes taken by Parva Farm, Wernddu, Sugarloaf, White Castle, Glyndawr and Meadowview.
Roger Jones, chef proprietor of Michelin-starred The Harrow at Little Bedwyn in Wiltshire, and chair of the three-strong judging panel (pictured left), paid tribute to the bravery of the WVA. “They had taken a big risk. I had been asked to judge this at Decanter World Wine Awards standards,” he explained. In the end, he needn’t have worried. “I was blown away by the class of the fruit,” he said.
Fellow judges Bill Gunn MW, former UK MD of Champagne house Pol Roger, and Julie Bell, manager of the multi-awarded Felin Fach Griffin of nearby Brecon, agreed. “I was surprised, but in a very nice way,” said Bell. “The wines are good in their own right,” she said of the 21 medal winners.
Ancre Hill Sparkling Rosé 2009 rounded off a great 12 months for the Monmouthshire winery. It recently won Gold at the China Wine & Spirit Awards for the same wine, and had its 2008 white named the top sparkling wine at the Italian Bollicine del Mondo awards in late 2012. Richard, pictured right with wife & co-founder, Joy, reckons his vineyard’s biodynamic approach – “it gives much more intense fruit” – is the reason.
If the quality of the red wines surprised all the judges, the silver-medal winning Tintern Parva Bacchus 2011 was a pure delight. Being such a difficult grape, Bacchus isn’t made every year, said Parva’s Judith Dudley, explaining the lack of a Bacchus in 2012. “But when it works it’s very good,” she said with a smile.
The Awards took place at Llanerch Vineyard in the Vale of Glamorgan. With a friendly welcome, well-stocked shop, tastefully-appointed rooms and airy restaurant overlooking the vineyard, Llanerch illustrates Welsh wine tourism at its best. We’ll feature them soon, here on DrinkBritain.com. Definitely worth a visit.
Visitor details on Llanerch and other WVA members can be found on the Wine Trails Wales website. The WVA’s new website is due to launch later this Autumn.
Welsh Vineyard Association 2013 Awards
Gold
Ancre Hill Sparkling Rosé 2009
Silver
Tintern Parva Bacchus 2011
Tintern Parva Bwthyn Rhosyn Rosé 2012 – pictured left, Judith & Colin Dudley
Ancre Hill Pinot Noir 2009
Ancre Hill Pinot Noir 2011
Ancre Hill Sparkling White 2008
Bronze
WHITE & ROSE
Pant Du Rosé 2012
Tintern Parva Sir Fynwy White 2012
Wernddu White 2011
Sugarloaf Abergavenny 2011
Ancre Hill Chardonnay 2010
RED
Tintern Parva Ty Coch 2011
White Castle Rondo 2012 – pictured left, Nicola & Robb Merchant
SPARKLING
Ancre Hill Sparkling Pinot Noir/ Seyval Blanc 2008
Ancre Hill Sparkling White 2009
Glyndwr White Brut 2009
Llanerch Sparkling Brut 2011
Meadowview Gwyn-y-Fro White 2010
Sugarloaf Rhosyn 2007
Tintern Parva Dathliad White Sparkling 2006
Wernddu Sparkling 2007